Evening Prayer — from All Saints’ Day until — the day before the First Sunday of Advent — Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Preparation

O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.

Your faithful servants bless you. They make known the glory of your kingdom. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, our light and our salvation, to you be glory and praise for ever. Now, as darkness is falling, wash away our transgressions, cleanse us by your refining fire and make us temples of your Holy Spirit. By the light of Christ, dispel the darkness of our hearts and make us ready to enter your kingdom, where songs of praise for ever sound. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of Tobit (page 596), the following or another suitable hymn

Give me the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above, how great their joys, how bright their glories be.

Once they were mourning here below, and wet their couch with tears; they wrestled hard, as we do now, with sins and doubts and fears.

I ask them whence their victory came: they, with united breath, ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, their triumph to his death.

They marked the footsteps that he trod, his zeal inspired their breast, and, following their incarnate God, possess the promised rest.

Our glorious Leader claims our praise for his own pattern given; while the long cloud of witnesses show the same path to heaven.

Isaac Watts (Tune: CM)

This opening prayer may be said

That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful, let us pray with one heart and mind.

Silence is kept.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and for ever. Amen.

The Word of God

Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm 111

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

1 Alleluia. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, ♦ in the company of the faithful and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great, ♦ sought out by all who delight in them.

3 His work is full of majesty and honour ♦ and his righteousness endures for ever.

4 He appointed a memorial for his marvellous deeds; ♦ the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He gave food to those who feared him; ♦ he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He showed his people the power of his works ♦ in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are truth and justice; ♦ all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever; ♦ they are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; ♦ holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have those who live by it; ♦ his praise endures for ever.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

Gracious God, you are full of compassion; may we who long for your kingdom to come rejoice to do your will and acknowledge your power alone to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 112

The righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.

1 Alleluia. Blessed are those who fear the Lord ♦ and have great delight in his commandments.

2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land, ♦ a generation of the faithful that will be blest.

3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, ♦ and their righteousness endures for ever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; ♦ gracious and full of compassion are the righteous.

5 It goes well with those who are generous in lending ♦ and order their affairs with justice,

6 For they will never be shaken; ♦ the righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.

7 They will not be afraid of any evil tidings; ♦ their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

8 Their heart is sustained and will not fear, ♦ until they see the downfall of their foes.

9 They have given freely to the poor; their righteousness stands fast for ever; ♦ their head will be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see it and be angry; they shall gnash their teeth in despair; ♦ the desire of the wicked shall perish.

The righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.

Generous God, save us from the meanness that calculates its interest and hoards its earthly gain; as we have freely received, so may we freely give; in the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 116

Gracious is the Lord and righteous.

1 I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication; ♦ because he inclined his ear to me on the day I called to him.

2 The snares of death encompassed me; the pains of hell took hold of me; ♦ by grief and sorrow was I held.

3 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: ♦ ‘O Lord, I beg you, deliver my soul.’

4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; ♦ our God is full of compassion.

5 The Lord watches over the simple; ♦ I was brought very low and he saved me.

6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, ♦ for the Lord has been gracious to you.

7 For you have delivered my soul from death, ♦ my eyes from tears and my feet from falling.

8 I will walk before the Lord ♦ in the land of the living.

9 I believed that I should perish for I was sorely troubled; ♦ and I said in my alarm, ‘Everyone is a liar.’

10 How shall I repay the Lord ♦ for all the benefits he has given to me?

11 I will lift up the cup of salvation ♦ and call upon the name of the Lord.

12 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord ♦ in the presence of all his people.

13 Precious in the sight of the Lord ♦ is the death of his faithful servants.

14 O Lord, I am your servant, ♦ your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.

15 I will offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving ♦ and call upon the name of the Lord.

16 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord ♦ in the presence of all his people,

17 In the courts of the house of the Lord, ♦ in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Alleluia.

Gracious is the Lord and righteous.

As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, may we call upon your name, raise the cup of salvation, and so proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come in glory.

Each psalm or group of psalms may end with

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

Proverbs 3.27-end

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you. Do not plan harm against your neighbour who lives trustingly beside you. Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you. Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways; for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous. Towards the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favour. The wise will inherit honour, but stubborn fools, disgrace.

Canticle

A Song of God’s Assembled, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 70 (page 628) or number 73 (page 631), may be said

We have come before the throne of God to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Alleluia.

1 We have come before God’s holy mountain, ♦ to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.

2 We have come before countless angels making festival, ♦ before the assembly of the firstborn citizens of heaven.

3 We have come before God, who is judge of all, ♦ before the spirits of the just made perfect.

4 We have come before Jesus, ♦ the mediator of the new covenant.

5 We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken: ♦ so let us give thanks and offer to God acceptable worship,

6 Full of reverence and awe; ♦ for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12.22-24a, 28, 29

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

We have come before the throne of God to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

Matthew 18.21-end

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory. Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory. For I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. And afterwards receive me with glory. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory.

from Psalm 73

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of the Simeon) (page 613) may be said

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; ♦ he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2 From this day all generations will call me blessed; ♦ the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

3 He has mercy on those who fear him, ♦ from generation to generation.

4 He has shown strength with his arm ♦ and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5 Casting down the mighty from their thrones ♦ and lifting up the lowly.

6 He has filled the hungry with good things ♦ and sent the rich away empty.

7 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, ♦ to remember his promise of mercy,

8 The promise made to our ancestors, ♦ to Abraham and his children for ever.

Luke 1.46-55

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered for peace for individuals and their needs

Prayers may include the following concerns from the cycle on pages 364–365

The saints on earth, that they may live as citizens of heaven All people, that they may hear and believe the word of God All who fear the winter months All sovereigns and political leaders, that they may imitate the righteous rule of Christ All who grieve or wait with the dying

A form of prayer found on page 384 may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer

(or)

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day is said

Almighty and eternal God, you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints: grant to us the same faith and power of love, that, as we rejoice in their triumphs, we may be sustained by their example and fellowship; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(or)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Conclusion

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven, bring us to reign with him in glory. Amen.

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000–2005 Official Common Worship apps, books and eBooks are available from Church House Publishing.

The Bible readings (other than the psalms) are from The New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix. Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002–2021.